Page 118 - JCAU-6-2

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Development protection of ethnic villages

for both the roof structure and decoration. It entails restoring the traditional roof structure (Figure 29). The corners of the
the traditional roof structure atop the existing one, using parapet are raised and whitened to create a stronger “horn
native materials such as wood beams, purlins, branches, top.” Craftsmen place white stones, sourced from the sacred
sand, and clay, in accordance with the traditional layered mountain, on the four corners of the roof to honor the
operation process, thereby reflecting the inherent beauty of tradition of “white stone worship” (Wang, 2021). In addition,
a “Simmering Pagoda” is constructed on the east side of the
roof, adorned with white stones piled on top, encircled by
five-color prayer flags, and with white, yellow, red, and blue
Lungta (known as Fengma Flag) placed in the south-east
and north-west directions of the roof (Ding & Liu, 2009)
(Figure 30). These enhancements cater to residents’ demand
for worshipping the mountain god while accentuating
cultural colors and embodying traditional style.

5.2.3. Decorative design
The decoration of doors and windows holds the most
significant cultural and aesthetic importance in Tibetan
homes in Sichuan, often serving as expressive elements
infused with religious beliefs and ancestral reverence,
Figure 27. Roof structure. Source: Photo by the authors supplemented by paintings and carvings. Conventionally,
Jiarong Tibetan folk houses generally featured a single
entrance door. With the advent of modern social stability,
the height of these doors has been restored to approximately
2 m, while their width usually spans between 1.2 m and
1.4 m (Zhang, 2014). Door decoration is concentrated
on the lintel, door frame, and other components, which
are divided into two categories: primary colors and
tinted colors. Lintels generally showcase 2 – 3 layers in a
cantilevered form, while the door frames consist mostly
of 1 – 2 layers of carved motifs, decorated with geometric
patterns and swastikas and painted in vermilion, black,
and white colors. In more exquisite buildings, door panels
may depict graphics such as chafing, white pagodas, and
Tibetan eight treasures, with some featuring door gods
carved in the shape of a dragon head, inspired by the
Figure 28. Roof decoration. Source: Photo by the authors imagery of the Bon-Religion Water God.

Figure 29. Traditional roof structure. Source: Drawing by the authors

Volume 6 Issue 2 (2024) 15 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2043